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ICCRC Becomes New Regulatory Body for Immigration Consultants

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 28, 2011) - The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC/the Council) is pleased that the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism has designated the Council as the new regulatory body for immigration consultants.

This represents a new beginning for the immigration consultant profession.

The Council will work hard to regulate the industry fairly and effectively, enhance consumer protectionand uphold the integrity of the Canadian immigration system.

"This is an important day for immigration consultants across Canada," said ICCRC President and CEO Phil Mooney. "The Council has a clear plan and is ready to regulate this industry."

"The ICCRC has committed to accountability, transparency and good governance and has pledged to work to protect the interests of consumers," added Minister Kenney. "Their efforts, backed by strong new legislation, will allow us to better serve people through our immigration processes and protect potential immigrants, all while improving the integrity of Canada's immigration system."

The Council will also engage all stakeholders involved in immigration in order to develop new and innovative ways to protect the public, including newcomers to Canada, from unauthorized providers of immigration services.

We now invite all immigration consultants to register on our website to become members of the Council. Consultants in good standing with the former regulator as of March 19, 2011, will have 30 days to become members of the Council.

For the latest information on the Council's activities, please follow the updates on our website (www.iccrc-crcic.ca) and on our Facebook page. To view the announcement on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website, please visit www.cic.gc.ca.

For Broadcast Use

"The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (the Council) is pleased to become the new regulator for immigration consultants. The Council will work hard to regulate the industry fairly and effectively, enhance consumer protection and uphold the integrity of the Canadian immigration system."

Backgrounder

In August 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) launched a competitive submission process to establish a new regulatory body for immigration consultants in Canada.

On March 18, 2011,the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC/the Council) was proposed as the new regulator for this profession. The Notice was published in the Canada Gazette and was followed by a 30-day comment period.

On June 28, 2011 the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism has designated the Council as the new regulatory body for immigration consultants.

Immigration consultants will have 30 days to become members of the Council. This quick transition will help protect consumers, uphold the integrity of the immigration system, and save immigration consultants money.

The Council will implement many newinitiatives designed to make positive changes to the regulation of this industry, guided by the principles of accountability, transparency and good governance.

The Council

The Council is led by a Board of Directors and a President and CEO representing all aspects of the industry, with significant experience in immigration issues. Biographical notes for Board members and the Council's President and CEO are available here.

No later than March 31, 2012, the first General Meeting will be held. At that time, an election will take place for all positions on the Board of Directors. After the first General Meeting, the Board will consist of fifteen directors, including three Public Interest Directors.

The geographical representation for the remaining twelve elected directors will be:

Ontario: 4

Quebec: 2

Western Canada: 4

Other: 2

Several committees have been formed to help the Council operate:

Admissions Committee

Appeal Committee

Communications Committee

Complaints Committee

Discipline Committee

Finance and Audits Committee

Governance and Nominating Committee

Outreach Committee

Practice Management and Education Committee

Practice Quality Review Committee

Review Committee

These committees are comprised of volunteers who have a keen interest in the subject area.